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The Clean Water Act: Have your representatives sponsored the bill?
WRH March 6th, 2010
Go to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Website and search your district.
“Voices of the River” Screened at historic Byrd Theater
cdawg January 21st, 2010
Members of the Virginia State legislature were treated to a screening of Shenandoah: Voices of the River at the historic Byrd Theater in Richmond on Jan. 14. The League of Conservation Voters hosted the event, where Downstream founder George Ohrstrom addressed the group of around 75 dignitaries.
Here is an excerpt of his address:
“…The catalyst for the film was the fact that the American Rivers Association named the Shenandoah the fifth most endangered river in America in 2006. The point of the film is to focus attention on the river because it needs our help. Unfortunately, it’s powerless to defend itself from the indignities we humans foist upon it. Some of our effects are worse than others, but the aggregate of our multiple effects is really debilitating. While there isn’t just one obvious problem with the river; there are a thousand serious ones. It’s not just industry, or development, or agriculture—it’s all of them, and other things too….”
Preserving the Monongahela
cdawg January 18th, 2010
The Downstream Project has been following the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Youth Group as they study environmental stewardship and put our faith into action by actively supporting and advocating for more wilderness area’s in the Monongahela National Forest.
Every spring, our group takes a camping trip to Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. We find the wilderness to be a place of spiritual renewal, spiritual deepening, and spiritual cleansing. It is our belief that God can be encountered in the wilderness in a way that could never be re-created in any other setting.
As a result of this group’s efforts and many others in the West Virginia Wilderness Coalition, the Omnibus Public Lands Act was passed in April of 2009.
Keep the wild in wild and wonderful West Virginia and protect these lands!! The youth of Shepherdstown Presbyterian pray earnestly that this will continue to happen.
Historic Long Branch Presents Environmental Preservation Award to Downstream Founder
cdawg December 9th, 2009
Long Branch Historic House and farm began the holiday season with its “Olde English Christmas.” Over 250 people attended the black-tie event hosted by Thomas T. and Sharon Byrd. Two new awards were presented at the gala and the Environmental Preservation Award was received by Downstream Project founder, George L. Ohrstrom II. Among his many contributions to conservation, George has been instrumental in the development of Long Branch’s family picnic event, which focuses on environmental awareness at the site, which drew its water and name from a tributary of the Shenandoah River, which crosses the estate property.
Harry Stimpson presents the award to George Ohrstrom
Take the River Network’s Clean Water Act Course
cdawg December 2nd, 2009
This course is designed to give you options about how to learn about the Clean Water Act based on your interests.The course is meant as a companion to the River Network book, The Clean Water Act: An Owner’s Manual. Course content is structured to help you:
isolate specific problems
identify possible solutions
develop and leverage existing programs
build effective outreach tools
Track the Clean Water Restoration Act
cdawg November 7th, 2009
Here’s a great site to track the progress of the Clean Water Restoration Act:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-787
And here’s a good page on the Myths and Facts of the Act:
http://www.cleanwateraction.org/feature/clean-water-restoration-act-2009-myths-and-facts
EcoVenture Days 27 & 28 Webcast
cdawg November 6th, 2009
Jeff Kelble, Shenandoah Riverkeeper, on the origins of the river/waterkeeper movement and the use of political advocacy to correct the ravages of pollution. Jeff is one of the “voices” on the Voices of the River DVD asking the tough questions about why fish are dying in the Shenandoah River. Also, some closing thoughts and reflections from the participants on what the Shenandoah EcoVenture means to them.
EcoVenture Day 26 Webcast
cdawg November 3rd, 2009
Steve Reeser and Jason Hallacher of Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries demonstrate how they determine fish populations on the south fork of the Shenanadoah.
EcoVenture Day 25 Webcast
cdawg November 2nd, 2009
It’s been 25 days on the trail and the river. It’s raining on and off and promises to pour all night. The team misses a drop point where they’ll meet Pam Patterson for a hot dinner and have to backtrack half a mile.
EcoVenture Day 24 Webcast
cdawg November 2nd, 2009
Near Luray, in Page County, a cold morning and a 22 ft dam greet our intrepid travelers.